Philosophy of Science after Feminism (Studies in Feminist Philosophy)

In this monograph Janet A. Kourany argues for a philosophy of science more socially engaged and socially responsible than the philosophy of science we have now. The central questions feminist scientists, philosophers, and historians have been raising about science during the last three decades form Kourany's point of departure and her response to these questions builds on their insights. This way of approaching science differs from mainstream philosophy of science in two crucial respects: it locates science within its wider societal context rather than treating science as if it existed in a social, political, and economic vacuum; and it points the way to a more comprehensive understanding of scientific rationality, one that integrates the ethical with the epistemic. Kourany develops her particular response, dubbed by her the ideal of socially responsible science, beyond the gender-related questions and contexts that form its origins and she defends it against a variety of challenges, epistemological, historical, sociological, economic, and political. She ends by displaying the important new directions philosophy of science can take and the impressive new roles philosophers of science can fill with the approach to science she offers. -- Back cover Providing Not Only A (descriptively And Normatively) More Adequate Philosophy Of Science Than What We Have Now, But Also A More Socially Engaged And Socially Responsible Philosophy Of Science, This Book Aims To Promote A More Socially Engaged And Socially Responsible Science. A Feminist Primer For Philosophers Of Science -- The Legacy Of Twentieth Century Philosophy Of Science -- What Feminist Science Studies Can Offer -- Challenges From Every Direction -- The Prospects Of Twenty-first Century Philosophy Of Science. Janet A. Kourany. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 129-144) And Index. Oxford University Press, Inc. Contents 12 1 A Feminist Primer for Philosophers of Science 16 2 The Legacy of Twentieth-Century Philosophy of Science 34 3 What Feminist Science Studies Can Offer 62 4 Challenges from Every Direction 92 5 The Prospects for Philosophy of Science in the Twenty-First Century 118 References 142 Index 158 A 158 B 158 C 158 D 159 E 159 F 159 G 160 H 160 I 160 K 160 L 160 M 161 N 161 O 161 P 161 R 161 S 161 T 162 U 162 V 162 W 162 Z 162 9780199732623,9780199732616,0199732620,0199732612